Firebreak To Protect Pine, Strawberry Continues

The effort to protect the tiny mountain hamlets of Pine and Strawberry from a catastrophic wildfire before it ever starts is continuing with the construction of a firebreak project that began five years ago.

Tonto National Forest crews are constructing the firebreak south of Pine and on the west side of the Beeline Highway.

Jason Pettifield/Roundup

Goats could be used to maintain the firebreak near Pine.

The firebreak will buttress against a similar one built about three years ago, said Tonto Fire Prevention Officer Gary Roberts.

The 400-acre project will include cutting and piling manzanita brush, juniper, pine and oak trees.

Plans are to then burn the piles in the winter months.

"But that is weather dependent," said Payson Ranger District Fuels Specialist Don Nunley. "We must have the moisture and weather conditions have to be correct."

When the forest debris is burned, residents in Payson, Pine and Strawberry can expect to see columns of smoke billowing into the Rim Country sky.

Winter is traditionally the time of year the Forest Service begins its burns -- both prescribed and fuel break piles.

Until those piles are burned, the firebreak is not complete, Roberts said.

When the completion is accomplished, Pine and Strawberry will be encircled and more protected from a wildfire threat.